Apparatus and method of extracting oil from oleaginous material



mun AND six me s Feb. 25, 1930. E. LAWRENCE, JR 1,748,356 APPARATUS ANDMETHOD OF EXTRACT ING OIL FROMv OLEAGINOUS MATERIAL Filed June 1925 9Sheets-Sheet l 2 F2 520 B1851 P3 F INVENTbIEZU 6mm 7 163% A TTORNEYF0058 AND RIVER/ x6 Feb. 25, 1930.

E. LAWRENCE, JR 1,748,356 APPARATUS AND METHOD OF EXTRACTING OIL FROMOLEAGINOUS MATERIAL Filed June 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. W ,f

ATTORNEY Feb. 25, 1930. E. LAWRENCE, JR

APPARATUS AND METHOD OF EXTRACTING OiL FROM OLEAGINOUS MATERIAL FiledJune 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

BY M

- A TTORNEY Feb. 25, I930. LAWRENCE JR 1,748,355

APPARATUS AND METHOD OF EXTRACTING OIL FROM OLEAGINOUS MATERIAL FiledJune 1925. 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR. flau m k BY v5 82 M ATTORNEY MMam 5 w 3 LL Mikhjis AME APPARATUS AND METHOD OF EXTRACTING OIL FROMOLEAGINOUS MATERIAL Filed June 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

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* APPARATUS AND METHOD OF EXTRACTING OIL FROM OLEAGINOUS MATERIAL FiledJune 3, 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVEN TOR.

5060;. M fr BY /M MM ATTORNEY Feb-25, 1930. E. LAWRENCE. JR

APPARATUS AND METHOD OF EXTRACTING OIL FROM OLEAGINOUS MATERIAL FiledJune 1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR. $7M W P BY (0 M (Kw/V ATTORNEY wowsAw mvmwm Feb. 25, 1930. E. LAWRENCE, JR 1,748,356

APPARATUS AND METHOD EXTRACTING OIL FROM OLEAGINOUS MATERIAL Filed June1925 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 9' Q I Q E y m 3 I: I "Iv Q r so a g; 3 :g 2 f I mn an LL j r I HI Q E I Q a b a w a 3 1 N I J N l L n I 5 N g: ll

a E I *0 m 3 I n m n a A 3 V m N w O Q Q rq Q g R} m g N a a ma Q & N mQ Q {1: x Q I Q N g INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY PillU DLv LHMULQ EDWIN LAWRENCE, JR., OF COSSIPORE, CALC'UTTA,INDIA APPARATUS AND METHOD OF EXTRACTING OIL FROM OLEAGINOUS MATERIALApplication filed June 3, 1925.

My invention relates generally to the extraction of oil from oleaginousmaterial and particularly to apparatus and methods for the extraction ofoil from such materials by the use of solvents of such oil. In parts ofthe apparatus herein described, steam is used to aid the operation.

My invention is especially adapted for the treatment of cotton seed mealand the meals of other seeds for the extraction of oil from such meals.

The object of the invention is to produce an apparatus and methodadapted to continuous and economical and complete opera tion for theextraction of oil and the recovery of the solvent used in the operation.

The solvent used in this work may be petroleum naphtha or other suitablevolatile fluid which preferably is specifically lighter than thematerial from which the oil or fat is to be extracted. A solventspecifically lighter than the material from which extraction is to beeffected is preferable, in order that there may be counter-flow of thesolvent and material, the solvent being forced upward and the materialgoing downward, by gravity, in the apparatus for removal from theapparatus.

Among the objects of the invention are providing an apparatus which isnot costly for manufacture and which may be operated economically andsafely relative to accidental igniting of inflammable solvents and theoils contained by the materials from which extraction is to be elfected.

The operation of my apparatus is continuous and incremental and differs,in this respect, from extracting apparatus which operates intermittentlyon large batches or masses of material, such batches or masses beingfirst mixed with the solvent and afterward heated or pressed in batch orbulk. Others have attempted incremental operation, but those cases lackimportant features of my invention.

In my apparatus, a stream of material moves substantially continuouslythrough the apparatus and at places along its course receives treatmentwhile so moving, the treat ment being applied to limited quantities ofSerial No. 34,685.

the material. The words, substantially continuously, are used becauseprovision is made in parts of the apparatus for automatically retardingor temporarily suspending movement of the material, this being for thepurpose of maintaining uniformity of quantity in the flow or avoidingover-crowding of parts of the apparatus.

In its complete form, the apparatus includes an extractor, a heater, anda deodorizer. In the extractor, the material is intermingled with thesolvent, and the solvent and the oil taken and carried by the solventare conducted out of the extractor. The heater receives the materialfrom the extractor. In the heater, the material is agitated and heatedfor the vaporizing of as much as may be of any remnant of solvent leftin the material, and the resulting vapors are conducted away to acondenser. From the heater the material is delivered into the deodorizerand is there agitated or stirred and mingled with steam for the finalelimination of any remnant of solvent. This is for the purpose ofrendering the material suitable for feeding to live stock or to adapt itto be used as a food for people.

The term, material, is used herein to designate crushed, ground orcomminuted seeds or other material bearing oil or other oleaginousconstituent to be extracted from the material.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation illustrating an apparatus embodying myinvention;

Fig. 2 is an upright section of the extractor and parts immediatelyassociated therewith and a part of the heater;

Fig. 3 is a plan showing the upper part of the extractor;

Fig. 4 is an upright section on the line, 44 of Fig. 2, looking towardthe right;

Fig. la. is an upright section on the line 4a4:a, of Fig. 2, lookingtoward the right;

Fig. 4?) is an upright section on the line, 4?)4cb, of Fig. 2, lookingtoward the right;

Fig 5 is a horizontal section on the line, 55, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on th( ine,

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line, 7-7, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is an upright transverse section on the line, 8-8, of Figs. 2 and6, looking toward the right;

Fig. 9 is an upright transverse section on the line, 9-9, of Figs. 2 and6, looking toward the left;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section on the line, 10-10, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 11 is an upright section on the line, 11-11, of Fig. 2, lookingtoward the left;

Fig. 12 is an upright section on the line, 12-12, of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12a is an upright section on the line, 12a-12a, of Figs. 2 and 10,looking toward the right;

Fig. 13 is an upright transverse section on the line, 13-13, of Fig. 10,looking toward the right;

14 is an upright transverse section on the line, 14-14, of Fig. 10,looking toward the left;

Fig. 15 is an upright section on the line, 15-15, of Fig. 10, omittingthe cyclone separator;

Fig. 16 is a horizontal section on the line, 16-16, of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 illustrates another mechanism, in upright section, forconducting oil and solvent from the upper part of the extractor;

Fig. 18 is an upright section illustrating another form of the transfermechanism by means of which the material is transferred from the lowerpart of the extractor into the heater.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the extractor, B designates themechanism for transferring the material from the extractor to theheater, G. D is the deodorizer. E designates the mechanism fordelivering the material from the deodorizer.

A1 is the main part of the body of the extractor, A. The upper end ofthe part, A1, has an outward-directed flange, A2, on which rests the topplate, A3. In the upper part of the body is a spider, A4, comprising acentral bearing, A5. The outer ends of the arms of the spider aresuitably joined to the wall of the body. By this means, said bearing isimmovably supported on the axial line of the extractor.

The lower end of this part of the extractor, A1, has an outward-directedflange, A7,

' which rests on a corresponding flange, B2, on

the upper end of the casing, B1, for the trans fer mechanism, B. In thefloor of the casing, B1, is an upright bearing, B3, on the axial line ofthe extractor. A downward extension on the floor of the casing, B1, hasa bearing, B4, in alignment with the bearings, B3 and A5. A shaft, A8,extends through the bearings, A5, B3 and B4, and is held againstdownward movement by a suitable thrust collar surrounding the shaftabove and below the bearing, B4. On the lower end of said shaft is abevel gear wheel, F, which is driven by means to be described furtheron.

On the shaft, A8, are radial arms, A9, spaced from each other suitabledistances. The alternate arms are in upright planes which areperpendicular to each other. The outer ends of a portion of the arms areconnected by bars, A10. Immediately above the shaft, B20, two arms, A23,are fixed on the shaft, A8, and above those arms a spiral blade, A22, isfixed on the shaft, A8.

It is to be observed that the extractor may be of any desired height.Fig. 2 shows a portion broken out.

Immediately above the bearing, A5, a hub, A6, surrounds the shaft, A8,and is keyed thereto for up and down movement and to compel rotation onand with the shaft. Upright bars, All, are supported rigidly on said huband at their upper ends support immovably a cap, A12, into which isthreaded or otherwise rigidly secured an upright stem, A13, whichextends slidably through a bearing, A14, in the top plate, A3. On thehub, A6, are radial, slanting blades or arms, A15, which are similar tothe blades of a wind wheel. The hub and the blades and the bars, A11,and the cap, A12, and the stem, A13, rotate in unison with the shaft,A8. On the top plate, A3, is a horizontal bearing, A16, which supports abell crank, A17, having a horizontal arm resting on the upper end of thestem, A13. The other arm of the bell crank is upright and oined to acord or wire, A18, which is connected with the cone clutch member, A24,on the shaft of the conveyor screw, A21, whereby material is deliveredinto the upper part of the extractor, as will now be described.

Near the top plate, a tubular, horizontal branch, A19, communicates withthe interior of the extractor. To this branch is connected a horizontalor substantially horizontal conveyor trough, A20. In that trough is aconveyor screw, A21. Said trough leads from any source of supply of thematerial which is to be delivered into the extractor for treatment forthe extraction of oil. Said trough may lead from an apparatus ormechanism for crushing or comminuting the seeds and also for heating anddrying the seeds before or after crushing or comminuting. Such apparatusfor preparing the material is not shown nor described, because suchapparatus is known to this art and does not constitute a part of thepresent invention. The motor used for driving such preparation apparatusmay also drive the conveyor screw, A21. The speed of that motor is to becontrolled by the bell crank, A17, as will be described further on.

The cone clutch member, A24, is slidable endwise on the shaft of theconveyor screw. A longitudinal tongue, A26, on said shaft and extendsinto the extractor.

compels the shaft to rotate with said clutch member. A loose pulley,A25, constituting a companion clutch member is held in position to beengaged by the clutch member, A24, for transmitting motion from thepulley through the member, A24, to the shaft. A lever, A27, is fulcrumedat A28, and engages the clutch member, A24, for moving that clutchmember into engagement with the pulley, A25. The upper end of the lever,A27, is coupled to the cord or wire, A18. WVhen the bell crank, A17, istilted, that bell crank draws the cord or wire, A18, toward the upperpart of the extraction chamber, whereby the clutch member, A24, isreleased from the pulley, A25, whereby transmission from the pulley tothe shaft is interrupted until the bell crank again resumes normalposition after downward movement of the slanting blades, A15. Acontracting spring, A29, is joined by one end to the lever, A27, and bythe other end to a fixed support, A30. Said spring yieldingly acts todraw the lever, A27, and the clutch member, A24, toward the pulley. Thatmovement takes place whenever the bell crank returns to normal position.

A mechanism, G. is applied to the upper part of the upright wall of theextractor to communicate with the extractor. This mechanism is to serveas an outlet for combined oil and solvent and has an inlet for filteringmedium, as will be described further on. Said mechanism includes aT-form casting comprising an upright arm, G1, and a horizontal arm, G2,directed toward the extractor, and a horizontal arm, G3, extending inthe opposite direction. A part, G4, of the arm, G2, has a flange, G5,bearing against and secured to the outer face of the adjacent part ofthe wall of the extractor. Opposite said flange the wall of theextractor is cut away. A tubular member, G6, telescopes into the part,G4, and is fixed therein The lower wall of the member, G6, is curvedupward within the extractor far enough to bring the mouth of said memberinto a horizontal plane. A little way above the level of said mouth aretwo arms, A9, adapted to sweep across said mouth and stroke or wipehorizontally filtering medium passing inward through the arm, G2, andissuing upward from said mouth. At the left hand end of the member, G6,the wall of the part, G4, is extended putward to form an annular space,G7, between said part and the member, G6. Along said channel or space,the member, G6, is perforated to form a screened by-pass out of therange of the main passage. The bypass passage being for the passing ofoil and solvent going from the extractor into the discharge pipe, G8,which is tapped into the wall of the part, G4. (Fig. 4a.) A shaft, G9,extends horizontally through the arm, G3, and into the arm, G2. At thearm, G3, said shaft is surrounded by a suitable packing or gland whichis to prevent the outward passing of liquid. WVithin the structure, G,said shaft is surrounded by spiral conveyor flanges, G10, and G13, whichare adapted to crowd filtering medium from the interior of the uprightarm, G1, through the arm, G2, and the inner mem ber, G6. Below theshaft, G9, is a star wheel, G11, mounted on a horizontal shaft, G12,seated in the upright walls of the upright arm, G1. (Fig. 4b). The armsof said wheel reach between the adjacent spiral flanges, G10, andprevent filtering medium from adhering between said flanges and rotatingwith said shaft, the wheel being rotated by the flanges.

On the outer or left hand end of the shaft, G9, is fixed a pulley, F1.

In the left hand wall of the casing for the mechanism, B, is an opening,B5. At the right of said casing is a similar, but larger opening, B6,around which is a circumferential, upright flange, B7. Extending acrosssaid opening and reaching over a part of said flange is a head plate,B8, which is secured to the flange, B7, by means of stud-bolts, B9. Atthe right of the flange, B7, is a horizontal casing, B10, which has anupright, annular flange, B11, surrounding the head plate, B8, andbearing against the flange, B7, and secured thereto by bolts or screwsnot shown. The casing, B10, has a tubular downward ex tension, B12, atthe lower end of which is a horizontal annular flange, B13. At theright, the casing has a large opening, B15, over which is placed aremovable upright plate, B14. The head plate, B8, is centrallyapertured. At the right of said plate and lying against it is a fillingmember, B16, which is apertured the same as the head plate, B8.

A bracket, B17, extends leftward from the opening, B5, and its outerpart is extended leftward to form a bearing, B18. A stuffing box, B19,with a gland is seated over and in the opening, B5. A shaft, B20, restsin the bearing, B18, and in the gland, B19. Said bearing and said glandand the aperture in the head plate, B8, are on a horizontal line whichis a little forward of the shaft, A8,far enough to make room between thetwo shafts for the spiral flanges on that shaft. A thrust collar, B22,extends around and is fixed to the shaft, B20, and bears against thebearing, B18, to hold said shaft against leftward movement. At the leftof the bearing, B18,-

a spur gear wheel, F3, surrounds and is fixed to the shaft, B20, and itshub bears against said bearing and serves to prevent rightward movementof said shaft. At the left of the wheel, F3, a small pulley, F2,surrounds and is fixed to said shaft.

lVithin the lower part of the extractor, the shaft, B20, is surroundedby flanges or spiral a, tax:

blades fixed on said shaft for rotation therewith. Beginning at the leftthere is first the continuous spiral blade, B21, making approximatelythree turns around the shaft. Next there are two separate blades, 1321a,each making about three-fourths of a turn and separated from each otherto leave clear space entirely around the shaft. Next there is a group ofsuch blades, B215, surrounding said shaft in the press structure to bedescribed further on. These blades also make only about three-fourths ofa turn on the shaft, and they are separated to leave bet-ween them partsof the shaft entirely clear.

A star wheel, J, is supported by a bearing, J 1, on the wall, B1, inposition to cause one arm of the wheel to reach between two of the turnsof the flange or blade, B21. (See Figs. 6 and 7 With the rotation of theshaft, B20, the flange, B21, acts screw-fashion on the arms of the starwheel and turns said wheel. The function of said star wheel is toprevent packing of material between the turns of the flange, B21, saidwheel preventing rotating of material on the shaft past the plane of thewheel. t may be said that the wheel acts in this respect like a rotaryscraper. Thus forward movement (movement toward the right) of thematerial is insured. The bottom cover of the transfer mechanism casingreaches almost to the flanges, B21 and BQ-ld. On said bottom, near theshaft, A8, are three upward-directed lugs, B23, which reach almost tothe shaft, B20, at clear spaces on said shaft. The function of said lugsis to avoid the packing of material between the flanges, B21, androtating with the shaft, B20, and not being driven forward (toward theright) by the flanges, B21a, as will be more fully described further on.

What I term the press structure will now be described.

From the upright wall, B1, of the transfer mechanism casing, a shorttube or sleeve, B2 1, extends horizontally toward the left on the axialline of the shaft, B20. A ring, B25, is fitted into the sleeve, B24. Thehead plate, B8, has on its inner face and near the aperture in saidplate an annular channel, B26. The ring, B25, has on its right hand facea similar channel, B27 Bars or staves, B28, have their ends seated insaid channels and are spaced from each other to make a grating or screenor curb which will permit the passing of liquids but substantiallyprevent the pass ing of solid material. The ring, B25, is joined to thehead plate, B8, by means of three bolts, B29. Thus the head plate, B8,and the ring, B25, and said bars are made to constitute a straining orpress structure which may be removed when the plate, B14, the arm, B35,and filling member, B16, and the nuts of the stud bolts, B9, have beenremoved. The spiral flanges, B216, are in the space enclosed by thegroup of bars, B28. Lugs,

B2806 (Fig. 7), extend from one or more of the bars, B28, toward theshaft, B20, and be tween the adjacent spiral flanges, B216, saidflanges, as above stated, extending only partially around the shaft,B20, in order that space may be left for said lugs. The function of saidlugs is to avoid the packing of material between said flanges. Rings,B30, surround the bars, B28, to prevent outward bending of the bars.

The cylindrical group of bars, B28, is surrounded by a space, thecylindrical tube formed by the walls of the casing, B1, being of largerdiameter than the diameter of the group of bars. An inlet pipe, B31, istapped into said wall below said group of bars. Said bars and the shaft,B20, with its spiral flanges, B215, form a press wherein the material iscompressed while being moved out of the extractor into the heater, O.This compression and two others to be described effect the eliminationof the greater part of the solvent and any remaining non-extracted oilfrom the material.

Above said group of bars is aby-pass, B32, forming communication betweenthe compartment occupied by the press structure and the lower part ofthe extractor. The function of that passage will be described furtheron.

The shaft, B20, is extended rightward into the chamber formed by thecasing, B10, and reaches almost to the removable plate, B14. Adjacentsaid wall or plate, agitator wings, B33, are fixed on said shaft. Avalve body, B34, surrounds said shaft in position to cover or partiallycover the outlet around said shaft through the head plate, B8, and thefilling body, B16. Said valve body is coupled to a forked arm, B35,which is hung for oscillation on a rock shaft, B36, which rests inbearings, B37 9). One of said bearings is on a support or standard, B38,located outside of the casing, B10. A horizontal arm,

B39, is fixed on the outer end of said shaft and supports a weight, W.The arm, B39, is directed toward the right, so that the weight, Y WV,tends to move the arm, B35, toward the left and press the valve body,B34, toward the passage leading from the casing, B10.

Turning now to the heater, O, O1 is an outer horizontal cylindricalmetal shell. O2 is an inner cylindrical metal shell spaced from theshell, O1, to leave a steam space between said shells. The left hand endof the heater is placed under the casing, B10, and a branch, O3,communicating with theinterior of the heater rises to meet the flange,B13, of the casing, B10. Said branch has a flange, G4, which bearsagainst the flange, B13, and is secured thereto by suitable bolts. Onthe left hand end of the heater is a head, O5, secured by suitablebolts. On the axial line of the heater said head has a bearing, C6, inwhich rests the horizontal shaft, O7. Said bearing is provided with apacking gland. Near its outer end said shaft extends through a bearing,O8; and at the right of said bearing a pulley, F4, surrounds and isfixed on said shaft.

On the right hand end of the heater is a cylindrical head, O10, having acircumferential flange, O11, bearing against a corre sponding flange,O12, on the body of the heater, the two flanges being suitably securedCO each other, as by means of bolts. On the axial line of the heater,the head, O10, has a bearing, O13, provided with a packing gland, O24.

At the left of the bearing, G6, a sleeve, O9, surrounds the shaft, C7.Said sleeve is suitably secured to an upright member, C14, to preventrotation of the sleeve. A steam delivery pipe, C15, is tapped into theupper part of said sleeve to communicate with an annular channel, O16,formed along the inner face of said sleeve. In the plane of said channeland said pipe, the shaft is provided with a port, O17, whichcommunicates with an aXial bore, C18, leading from said port rightwardthrough the shaft, 07. A packing gland, O19, surrounds the shaft andenters each end of the sleeve, C9, to prevent the escapr of steam fromthe sleeve excepting through the port, C17.

The right hand end of the shaft, C7, extends through a head, O20, whichis fitted into a drum, C21, of relatively small diameter extendingrightward nearly to the right hand end of the heater. Into the righthand end of said drum is fitted a head, O22, into which is fitted ashort shaft, O23, which is bored from end to end and which extendsthrough the bearing, C13, and the gland, C24. The outer end of saidshaft communicates with a discharge pipe, O13a, which leads to a steamtrap or similar device (not shown) for preventing escape of steamthrough said pipe and permitting the passing of condensation water.

At intervals, arms O25, are placed radially on the drum, O21. Agitatingor stirring tumbling blades, C26, are placed slightly diagonally to thedrum and attached to said arms in position to nearly reach the innerface of the inner heater shell, O2. (Figs. 12 and 13.) Adjacent thehead, O10, short auxiliary blades, O27, are secured to the adjacentarms, C25.

Near the right hand end of the heater is a separating structure, H,which includes acyclone'separator, H1, of well-known form adapted todischarge solid material downward and discharge vapor or gases upward.(Fig. 13.) A pipe, H2, leads from the interior of the heater upward andthen horizontally into the upper part of the separating structure forcommunication with the cyclone. A pipe, H3, leads from the upper part ofthe cyclone, H1, to carry vapor or water and solvent in vapor form to acon wheel, H9, like the star wheel, J, is applied to the spiral blades,H8. The shaft, H5, does not reach to the discharge end of the duct, H4.Thus there is left a space in which material accumulates to form a plugwhich prevents the passing of air or vapor. To maintain in the interiorof the separator a sufficiently high temperature to prevent condensationof steam and vaporized solvent, an outer wall, H12, forms a space intowhich hot steam is to be delivered through an inlet pipe, H10, and thatsteam, or a condensation thereof, withdrawn through a pipe, H11, leadingfrom said wall. Thus a steam jacket is formed for maintaining heat inthe interior of the separator.

Near the left hand end of the heater, a pipe, C28, is tapped into theupper part of the outer heater shell, O1, for the delivery of steam intothe space between that shell and the shell, O2. Near the right hand endof the heater a pipe, C29, is tapped into the lower part of the outerheater shell, O1, for the egress of steam condensation. This pipe is tocommunicate with a suitable trap for preventing the escape of steam.

The deodorizer, D, is placed upright adjacent the right hand ordischarge end of the heater to receive the heated material from theheater. The deodorizer has an upright outer cylindrical shell, D1, andan inner cylindrical shell, D2, spaced from the outer shell a suflicientdistance to form a steam space between the two shells. A steam inletpipe, D3, is tapped into the upper part of the outer shell; and a steamcondensation outlet pipe, D4, is tapped into the lower part of saidshell and leads to a steam trap not shown. A passage, C30, leads fromthe lower part of the heater, G, into the deodorizer for the delivery ofmaterial from the heater by the action of the auxiliary blades, O27,into the deodorizer. On the upper end of the deodorizer is anoutward-directed, horizontal flange, D5, on which rests a head, D6. Atthe lower end of the deodorizer is an outward directed, horizontalflange, D7 against the lowerq face of which flange rests a flange, D8,formed on the body of the discharge structure, E. On the bottom wall ofsaid structure is a bearing, D9, and below said hearing is a bracket,D10, on which is a bearing, D11. An upright shaft, D12, extends throughthe bearings, D11 and D9, and to about the height of the passage, O30,from the heater. Above the bearing, D11, a thrust collar, D13, surroundsand is fixed to said shaft to prevent downward movement of said shaft.Below said bearing is a bevel gear wheel, F5, which has a hub restingagainst the bearing, D11, and serving to prevent upward movement of theshaft, D12. Within the deodorizer, the shaft, D12, has any desirednumber of radial arms, D12a, adapted to stir material in the deodorizerduring rotation of the shaft.

Below the passage, O30, a spider, D1 1, is supported by the inner shell,D2, and supports a bearing, -D15, through which the shaft, D12, extends.Immediately above the bearing, D15, a hub, D16, surrounds and is keyedto the shaft, D12, so as to be controlled for up and down movement andto compel rotation on and with the shaft. Two upright bars, D17, aresupported rigidly on said hub and at their upper ends support immovablya cap, D18, into which is threaded or otherwise rigidly secured anupright stem, D19, which extends slidably through a bearing, D20, in thetop plate or head, D6. On the hub, D16, are radial, slanting blades orarms, D22, which are similar to the blades of a wind wheel. The hub andthe blades and the bars, D17, and the cap, D18, and the stem, D19,rotate in unison with the shaft, D12. On the top plate, D6, is ahousing, D23, in which is a horizontal rock shaft, D24, resting inbearings in said housing. lVithin said housing, an arm, D25, is fixed onsaid shaft and has its free end bearing on the upper end of the stem,D12. One end of said shaft projects through said housing and supports ahorizontal arm, D26. Said two arms extend in the same direction, so thatforce applied to the arm, D26, to bear it downward causes the arm, D25,to bear downward on the stem, D19. A cord or chain, D27, leads from thearm,

- D26, downward to a variable speed motor to be described further on.

Adjacent the shaft, D12, a steam delivery pipe, D28, is tapped into thelower wall of the discharge structure, E. A pipe, D29, is tapped intothe top plate, D21, and connects with the pipe, H2, leading into thecyclone as already described. Thus vapors and particles of solidmaterial carried by said vapors pass from the upper end of thedeodorizer into the cyclone.

The discharge structure, E, is horizontal. Its function is to dischargethe material from the lower end of the deordorizer without permittingair to enter from outside and without permitting the escape of steam orvaporized solvent or any other constituent in the form of a vapor orgas. A horizontal shaft, E1, is on an axial line which is a littleforward of the upright deod-orizer shaft, D12. The outer or left handend of said shaft rests in a bearing, E2, which is at the outer end of ayoke, E3. Adjacent the upright shaft, D12, the shaft, E1, is surroundedby a continuous spiral blade, E8, to which is applied a star wheel, J2,supported in a bearing, J 3, (Fig. 14:) and operating like the starwheel, J, (Fig. 6) At the lower portion of the body of the deodorizer,the discharge structure has a throat, E4. At the entrance to said throatsaid shaft is surrounded by spiral blades, E5. Those blades make only afractional turn and are separated or interrupted to clear the blades,E7, supported on bolts, E6, seated in the adjacent wall of the dischargestructure. The functions of those blades and the star wheel, J2, are thesame as the functions of the star wheel, J, and the lugs, B23. (Figs. 2and 6). At the left of the throat, E i, is a larger cylindrical chamber,E9. In said chamber two fractional spiral blades, E10, surround theshaft, E1. Said blades are separated sufliciently to make room for ablade, E7, supported on a bolt, E6, threaded into the wall of saidchamber. Immediately at the left of the throat, E4, a valve, E11,slidably surrounds the shaft, E1, and is adapted to bear rightwardtoward and over the discharge end of said throat to resist materialmoving through the throat into the chamber, E9. Said valve is controlledby an oscillating arm, E12, supported on a rock shaft, E13, which hasbearings in the walls of the chamber, E9, and in a standard, E14. On theouter end of the shaft, E13, is an arm, E15, on which is a weight, E16,which tends to turn the shaft, E13, in the proper direction to press thevalve, E11, toward the throat, E 1. At the discharge end of the chamber,E9, the shaft, E1, is surrounded by a similar valve, E17, which isadapted to bear against material issuing from said chamber. Said valveis controlled by an oscillating arm, E18, which is supported on a rockshaft, E19, which has bearings in the yoke, E3, and in the support, E20.A horizontal arm, E21, is fixed on the outer end of the shaft, E19, andsupports a weight, E22, which tends to draw the arm, E21, downward andturn the rock shaft in the proper direction to press the valve, E17,toward the chamber, E9. The valve, E17, and the arm, E18, are in theopen, because the discharge end of the chamber, E9, communicatesdirectly with the atmosphere. But the valve, E11, and the arm, E12, areenclosed by the chamber, E9, because that chamber into which the throat,E4, discharges is isolated from the atmosphere.

A steam delivery pipe, E23, is tapped into the wall of the chamber. E9,for the delivery of steam into said chamber for a purpose to bedescribed further on. At the left of the oearing, E2, a spur gear wheel,F6, surrounds and is keyed to the shaft, E1, and meshes with a smallerspur gear wheel, F7, on. the shaft of a motor, M (See Fig. 1.)

wees Asa sweaters at Referring now to the alternate form illustrated byFig. 17, I is an upright cylindrical chamber communicating with theupper part of the extractor, A1, through an upper connecting pipe, 11,and a lower pipe or passage, 12. At the upper part of said chamber is anoutlet pipe, 13, for the discharge of oil and solvent from said chamber.Between the pipes, 11 and T3, is a baffle plate, H, ex tending downwardfrom the top plate, I5, of the chamber, 1. A screw conveyor shaft, 16,extends through a bearing, 17, and into the passage, 12. On the outerend of said shaft is a pulley, F8, which is to be driven from any sourceof power. On the axial line of the chamber, 1, and in the lower wall ofsaid chamber is an upright bearing, 19, in which is an upright shaft,I8, which extends into the space between said lower wall and theconveyor shaft, 16, and there supports radial agitating 'or stirringblades, I10. On the lower end of said shaft is a pulley, F9, whichreceives power from any source. Oil and solvent move outward from theextractor through the pipe or passage, 11, into the chamber, 1, and passthence downward around the baffle plate and outward through thedischarge pipe, 13. Particles of material carried with the oil andsolvent are deposited by gravity into the lower part of said chamher andconveyed thence by the conveyor shaft, 16, through the passage, 12, backinto the extractor.

The alternate form illustrated by Fig. 18, of the drawings differs fromthe structure shown by the lower part of Fig. 2, only in the omissionof. the by-pass, B32. The cylindrical press formed by the bars, B28, andassociated parts being changed to a tubular perforated body, B LO,seated in the wall of the casing, B1, and in the plate, B8, and thefilling member, B16, the conveyor shaft, B20, extending through saidperforated tubular member.

A main drive pulley, P, is used for trans mitting power to several partsof the mechanism as will now be described. Said pulley surrounds and isfixed on a main horizontal shaft, S, resting in bearings supported fromthe main or ground fioor. On said shaft is a pulley, P1. A belt, P2. isapplied to the pulley, P1, and to the pulley, P3, which surrounds and isfixed on the horizontal shaft, S1, which bears a small spur gear wheel,S2, which meshes with the larger spur gear wheel, F3, which is mountedon the shaft, B20, as already described. On the shaft, S1, isa pulley,F11, which drives the pulley, F4, on the shaft, C7, of the heater, asabove described, by means of a belt, Fta. As already described, a smallpulley, F2, is fixed on the shaft, B20. and another pulley, F1, is fixedon the shaft, G9. A belt, F12, is applied to said two pulleys fortransmitting motion from the shaft, B20, to the shaft, G9. On

the main shaft, S, is fixed a bevel gear wheel, F13, which meshes withthe bevel gear wheel, F, which is fixed on the lower end of the shaft,A8, which, as already described, extends upward through the extractor.On the main shaft, S, is also fixed a small pulley, P4, to which isapplied a belt, P5, which extends over a guide pulley, P0, and isapplied to the pulley, H7, which is on the conveyor shaft, 115, of theseparating structure, H, which. as already described, communicates withthe l eater and with the deodorizer. On the right hand end of the mainshaft, S, is a small bevel gear wheel, F14, which meshes with the bevelgear wheel, F5, which has already been described as being fixed on thelower end of the shaft, D12, which extends upward through thedeodorizer.

The transmission of motion from the main drive pulley, P, to the shafts,G9, B20, C7, A8, H5 and D12, may now readily be traced.

' The manner of transmitting motion to the conveyor shaft, A21, and thedischarge shaft, E1, has already been described, the speed of the shaft,A21, being controlled by the height of material in the extractor and thespeed of the shaft, E1, being controlled by the height of material inthe deodorizer.

It is to be noted that my apparatus includes two conveying mechanismsfor feeding the material forward and that each of those mechanisms hasassociated with it. a speed regulating mechanism which is dependent uponthe quantity of material in the adjacent portion of the stream ofmaterial.

In addition to this regulation of velocity of conveying mechanisms,there are three yieldingly pressed valves for resisting the movement ofthe stream of material for the purpose of forming sealing plugs.

he operation is as follows Liquid solvent is introduced under pressureinto the extractor through the pipe, B31, the solvent flowing around andthrough the press formed by the bars, B28, and associated parts andthrough the by-pass, B82, until the extractor is filled with the solventto the height of the mouth of the member, G6.

The oleaginous material is delivered along the trough, A20, by theconveyor screw, A21, through the neck or branch, A19, into the upperpart of the extractor. There the material moves downward by gravitythrough the liquid solvent which rises as high as the mouth of themember, G6. The conveyor screw, A21, is formed to drive the materialinto the branch or neck, A19, to form in said branch a plug ofsufficient density to prevent the admission of air into the extractorand to prevent the outward passing of vapors or liquids. The materialaccumulates in the lower part of the extractor and then masses higherand higher until it reaches the blades, A15, of the regulating mechanismwhereby the velocity of the conveyor screw,

A21, is controlled, as already described, the object being to limit theheight of the material in the extractor to approximately the height ofthe blades, 15, when they are in their lower or normal position.

This mass of material in the extractor (the extractor being higher thanshown in the drawingthe drawing showing a part broken away) causesconsiderable downward pressure upon the material in the lower end of theextractor. This is aided by the action of the spiral blade, A22, on theshaft, A8. Thus we have one stage of compression of the material; andthat pressure co-operates with the spiral conveyor blades, B21, whichare on the horizontal shaft, B20, and adjacent the upright shaft, A8, todrive the material toward said press. Thus a second stage of compressionof the material is effected. Within said press, the press blades drivethe material forward through the space enclosed by the bars, B28,against the frictional resistance of said bars and against theresistance of the valve, B34. The weight, W, is to be adjusted on thehorizontal arm, B39, to adjust the resistance of said valve to condensethe material in front of the valve suiiiciently to attain the desireddensity of the material immediately in front of the valve to make suchresistance to forward movement as will cause the compression of thematerial in the press suificiently to expel from the material andthrough the space between the bars, B28, the greater part of the solventand any remaining non-extracted oil. The solvent and any oil as expelledfrom the press, pass upward through the by-pass, B32, into the slowlyupward moving body of solvent in the extractor. Some of the solvent andany remaining unextracted oil are expelled from the material by thefirst and second compressions before the press is reached, and flowupward into the upper part of the extractor. The spiral blades, B21 andB21a, are made of larger capacity than the blades, B216, in the press,in order that there may be a crowding or pressing or condensing of thematerial before the material enters the press. Such pressing orcondensing serves to expel some of the solvent and any remainingunextracted oil from the material and prevents the accumulation ofsloppy material which the screws could not grip or hold and forceforward, around the entrance to the press. Or, otherwise stated, thepress screws, B2145, will not grip and force forward a liquid mass,hence it is absolutely necessary to have the first and secondcompressions prior to the final pressing, in order that a less moistmaterial may be produced for screws, B2111 and B216 to handleefficiently.

As already described, the original solvent is introduced under pressurethrough the pipe, B31, into the space surrounding the press, so that theflow of the solvent is around the press. This flow tends to carry awayfrom the press any particles of material which pass outwardbetween thebars, B28, from the interior of the press. Thus accumulation of suchparticles sufiicient to clog the apparatus is avoided. The plug ofmaterial formed by the packing in front of the valve, B34, prevents theescape of solvent through the end of the press at which the valve islocated.

lVhile the material is moving downward after delivery into the extractorfrom the trough, A20, into the body of liquid solvent, the shaft, A8, isconstantly rotated, whereby the arms, A9, on said shaft constantly stirthe material and the solvent, whereby the solvent is intimately mingledwith all parts of the material. Thus the solvent acts with counter-flowefficiency upon all parts of the material for the release of oil fromthe material. When the upper surface of the solvent and oil is above themouth of the member, G6, the solvent and oil together flow into themember, G6, and outward through the perforations in said member, andthrough the annular passage, G7, into the discharge pipe, G8. Thisoutward flow through the member, G6, is through the filtering mediumintroduced through the upright arm, G1, and carried through the arm, G2,and the member, G6, into the extractor chamber, the movement of thisfiltering medium being at such speed and density as will best serve toallow the outward passing of the oil and solvent and prevent the outwardpassing of material. From the discharge pipe, G8, the oil and solventare carried to apparatus for separating the oil and solvent, the oilbecoming a commercial commodity and the solvent being again deliveredinto the extractor through the pipe, B31. As already herein stated, thefiltering medium is wiped or swept away from the mouth of the member,G6, by the arms, A9, which are located immediately above the level ofsaid mouth. This involves sweeping away any extraction material lodgingon the filtering medium in said mouth. The filtering medium may be wheatbran or other similar light and dustless material which when dischargedfrom the member, G6, will sink in the solvent along with the extractionmaterial and be mixed with the extraction material without making thelatter unfit for consumption by animal or man. To aid in comprehensionof the filtering above described, reference is made to filtering aliquid by passing the liquid through a stationary mass of sand orsimilar material. First let it be supposed that the member, G6, isfilled with a stationary body of sand or crushed charcoal, this massbeing in form to permit the solvent and extracted oil to pass throughthe mass and leave in said mass particles which are to be separated fromthe solvent and oil. Next suppose that this mass is slowly moved throughthe member, G6, and discharged into the main chamber,

A, that movement being accomplished by means of the spiral blades, G10and G13, on the shaft, G9, the mass being thus constantly maintained,new sand or charcoal takingthe place of the sand or charcoal dischargedinto the main chamber, A, the purpose of this change in the filteringmass being to avoid having the mass become filled and clogged withparticles of solid matter carried with the solvent and oil into themass. Use of sand or crushed charcoal or some similar material mightserve my purpose if merely the function of filtering neededconsideration. But it is undesirable to discharge sand or crushedcharcoal into the main chamber to be mingled with the extractionmaterial and remain mingled with that material at the final dischargefrom the apparatus. To make said material fit for use as food, I use afiltering medium which does not unfit the discharged extraction materialfor use as a food. The filtering medium is preferably a food element,such as wheat bran, as above described. By the movement described, the

filtering medium is made self-replenishing, and the extraction materialseparated from the solvent and oil is returned into the main chamber toagain become a part of the extraction material in said chamber.

It will now be seen that I have made provision for substantiallycontinuous flow of material into the upper part of the extractor anddownward in the extractor and out through its lower part, while liquidsolvent is pumped or forced through the extractor in the oppositedirection.

As already indicated, the regulating arms, A15, are the first of a trainof mechanism for reducing the velocity of the conveyor shaft, A21, whenthe mass of material in the extractor rises sufficiently to press theblades, A15, upward during their revolution.

After the material passes the valve, B34, it falls by gravity throughthe tubular extension, B12, into the left hand end of the heater and isthere stirred and tumbled into small particles by the blades, C26, andadvanced toward the right hand end of the heater. This heating is forthe purpose of vaporizing the greater part of the solvent not eliminatedbefore the material passes the valve, B34. As already described, thevapors freed by the heater go through the separating structure, H, andthence through the pipe, H3, to a condenser and thence to a separatorwherein the solvent and any water, such as results from moisture frommaterial in the heater or from live steam coming from the deodorizermentioned later, are separated.

From the right hand end of the heater, the material is dischargedthrough the passage, C30, into the deodorizer. There the material fallsby gravity into the lower part of the deodorizer and accumulates to theheight of the blades, D22. When the material rises higher and causes thelifting of the blades during their revolution, the velocity of themotor, M, is increased for increasing the velocity of the shaft, E1, inorder to increase the action of the conveyor blades on said shaft forthe more rapid removal of material from the deodorizer through thethroat, E4. Thus a substantially uniform mass of the material is kept inthe deodorizer, and said mass is stirred or agitated by the arms, D12a,on the shaft D12.

Steam of high temperature passes through the intake pipe, D28, andthrough the mass of material and out through the upper pipe, D29, intothe pipe, H2, into the separator structure, H, and thence through thepipe, H3, as already described. In the cyclone separator, any particlesof material arriving with these vapors are precipitated into the lowerpart of the cyclone, H1, into engagement with the conveyor screw, H8,and thence back into the heater, C.

WVhile the plug formed at the left of the valve member, B34, as abovedescribed (Fig. 2) aids in expelling solvent and any remain ingunextracted oil from the material, said plug also serves to seal againstthe passing of vapor from the heater into the extractor. The loose plugformed in the passage, C30, forms a seal at the discharge end of theheater and prevents steam from the deodorizer passing to the heater.

In the discharge structure, E, a plug of material is formed in thethroat, E4, and another plug of material is formed in front of the lastvalve, E17. Steam is introduced through the pipe, E23, into the chamberbetween those two plugs. This is for the purpose of preventing theentrance of air from the atmosphere around or through the plug at thevalve, E17, and the valve, E11.

To make certain that such admission of air is prevented, it is well tomake pressure of the steam through the pipe, E23, suffi cient toconstantly cause a little escape of steam into the atmosphere atthevalve, E17. On seeing this escaping steam, the operator will knowthat no air is entering at said valve.

One reason for preventing the admission of air into the deodorizer is toavoid mingling air with the inflammable solvent and making an explosivemixture which might explode. The same reasons apply for seeking to avoidthe admission of air into other compartments of the apparatus. Thisobservation is especially pertinent because some of these compartmentsmay be operated under partial vacuum. Then avoiding admission of air tothe deodorizer reduces work to be done by the vacuum pump.

The purpose of the treatment of the material in the deodorizer is toeliminate from the material the last remnant of solvent from thematerial. This is done by the aid of steam passing upward incounter-flow through the Ice v. nit

deodorizer. This final elimination of the solvent is to deprive thematerial of all odor or taste of the solvent. Thus the material is madea fit feed for cattle and may, in some cases, such as soy beans, becomea feed for people.

It is to be observed that the temperature of the steam introduced intothe deodorizer need be no higher than is necessary to avoid condensationin the deodorizer and in the passage leading from the deodorizer. Hereit is to be noted that there is only limited tendency toward coolingsaid steam, because the heater has steam between its jackets and in thetubular member, C21. Thus the insoluble material is hot when deliveredinto the deodorizer, and the heat of that matcrial is maintained throughthe heating of the deodorizer by means of steam circulating through thespace between the two walls of the deodorizer.

It is to be noted that if a solvent were used which is heavier than theinsoluble material, the counter-flow would have to be reversed, thesolvent introduced into the upper part of the extractor and the materialintroduced into the lower part of the extractor. In that case, therewould be absence of the pressure exerted upon the discharge end of thecolumn of material in the extractor as herein described relative to theapparatus shown by the drawings. In the apparatus as shown by thedrawings, the bottom or floor wall of the extractor makes a foundationor abutment against which the lower part of the material is pressed bythe action of gravity and by the weight of material above the lower partof the material. If the heavy solvent were used and the counter-flowreversed, there would be no such base or abutment against which thematerial can be pressed, and pressure due to the action of gravity uponthe upper part of the material is substantially absent. Then thematerial rising to the upper part of the extractor will merely floatloosely with no action toward condensing or packing and freeing oil fromthe material. Thus there is an absence of the first and second stages ofcompression of the material which I have mentioned.

To facilitate operation, the material and the solvent should both beheated before introduction to the extractor. If that is done, the actionof the solvent in the extractor will be facilitated. Furthermore, theoperation in the heater will be facilitated if the material is hot whendelivered into the heater. By taking that course, the heater may be madeof smaller capacity than would be required if the material weredelivered into the heater at lower temperature. If the material is hotwhen delivered into the heater, the amount of steam delivered into theheater through the pipes, C28 and C7, will be less.

Furthermore, the material should in any case be dried before deliveryinto the extractor, this being for the elimination of water, thepresence of which would retard solvent action. That drying may as wellbe done by heating immediately before delivery of the material into theextractor, thus delivering the material into the extractor hot.

Attention is invited to the practical importance of treating thematerial incrementally instead of large bulk. The material is movedforward through the apparatus in practically a constantly moving streamthrough which the counter-flowing solvent is intimately mingled for theextraction and carrying away of the oil; and the pressure exerted forexpressing solvent and any remaining unextracted oil and for forming andmaintaining seal plugs at different places is incremental that is tosay, the spiral blades which move the material forward add smallquantities of material to the bodies of material already compressed andslowly moving forward. Not only can incremental application of pressureproduce higher and more uniform density, but the operation can becarried on by the application of less power.

As an example of the efficiency of incremental compression, reference ismade to the baling of cotton by the progressive laying and pressing ofthin sheets or layers of cotton fiber, whereby a high density notpossible to produce by bulk compression of the cotton is attained.

But it is to be observed that in the practice of my method it is notdesirable to so operate as to attain the highest possible compression inthe press at the base of the main chamber, A (Fig. 2). For very highcompression would form a plug too hard for movement to and past thevalve, B34, or, if it passes said valve, to break into sufficientlyloose form to fall into the heater, G, and be adapted to be movedthrough the heater and to be penetrated by heat and allow escape of oiland solvent vaporized by the heat. In other words, the compression ordensity of the material in said press is to be high enough tosubstantially prevent the discharge of free oil and free solvent pastthe valve, B34, and low enough to allow the movement of the materialpast said valve into the heater and there permit the action of the heatabove de scribed. The fact that some solvent and some oil remain in thematerial when passing the valve, B34, is not objectionable; for theheater and the deodorizer function efficiently and economically for theelimination of the oil remnant and the solvent remnant from thematerial.

Here attention is again asked to the fact that my aim is tosubstantially completely eliminate the oil and solvent from the materialand leave the material in form for use as food for animals or man. Thisuse of the residual material is also a matter of economy.

tau E'UUULi Alll) tihl/HUAGES That use calls for the elimination of thesolvent to such extent as to avoid offensive taste. It is further a partof my method to economically use the solvent, provision being made forretaining the solvent in the apparatus for repeated use.

Attention is also invited to the fact that the practice of my inventionincludes the use of a solvent which is non-corrosive. Use of a corrosivesolvent would render the apparatus inoperative. Heretofore, in this art,it has been proposed to use carbon-tetrachlorid as a solvent. But thatsolvent, in the presence of water moisture and appropriate temperature,forms muriatic acid. That acid would destroy the metal of the apparatusand damage the extraction material. In this connection it is to beremembered that I use chamber.

steam in the deodorizing chamber and the extraction material may containwater moisture when it enters the apparatus.

By way of summary, let it be noted that in the operation of my apparatusthere are three main courses of movement or progression, such movementor progression being continuous or substantially continuous. One ofthese courses is traversed by the extraction material from the upperpart of the main chamber, A, to the final discharge at the lower end ofthe deodorizer. The second of these courses is traversed by the mainflow of solvent and extracted oil upward from the lower end of the mainchamber, A, and through the filter at the upper end of said The third ofthese courses is traversed by the filtering medium through the passageformed by the chamber, G1, and the members, G2 and G6, into the mainchamber, A. There is also a continuous flow of sol vent and oil, insmall quantity, from the heating chamber and from the deodorizer. Thereis also continuous flow of vaporized solvent and oil and light particlesof extraction material from the upper end of the deodorizer. There isalso continuous flow of steam and steam condensation through the spacebetween the heater walls; and there is similar fiow of steam and steamcondensation through the space between the walls of the material ormedium is subjected to progressive compression. That is especially thecase with the extraction material at the upper entrance to the mainchamber, A, and to and through the discharge from that chamber. At saidentrance, the material in the trough, A20, is driven forward withincreasing or progressive compression to give the material in thepassage, A19, sufficient density to prevent the outward passing ofvaporized or liquid solvent or oil. Downward through the main chamber,A, the weight of the material causes progressively increasing density orcompression; and at the base of said chamber, the spiral blades on theshaft, B20, cause gradual condensation or compression of the materialtoward and into the press and against the yieldingly resisting valve,1334. In the deodorizer, the weight of the material causes progressiveincrease of pressure from the upper end to the lower end of the chamher;and then the spiral blades on the shaft, E1, and the yielding valves,E11 and E17, cause a gradual or progressive compression of the material.

For the sake of clearness, it is here stated that in the claims,insoluble material applies to the insoluble material which carries theoil. This applies through the several stages from the delivery of saidmaterial into the upper part of the extraction chamber, A, until thefinal discharge from the apparatus, the quantity of oil carried by theinsoluble material diminishing from the beginning to the finaldischarge. During portions of the treatment, solvent is also carried bythe insoluble material. That fact is ignored in applying the term,insoluble material.

Furthermore, the term, oil, is used generically to designate such oilsand fats as are to be extracted from insoluble material by means of myapparatus and method.

I claim as my invention 1. In an apparatus for extracting oil fromfinely-divided oil-bearing animal and vegetable insoluble materials, thecombination of walls forming an upright closed extraction chamber, aninlet for the oil-bearing material and an outlet for oil and solvent,both located in the upper part of said chamber, means in the lower partof said chamber for expressing remaining solvent and oil from the solidresidue of the solvent extraction and for discharging said solid residuefrom said chamber, and means for introducing oil solvent into saidchamber around and in contact with said expressing means and fordirecting the expressed solvent and oil from said expressing meanstoward the upper part of the chamher.

2. In an oil extraction apparatus, the combination of walls forming anupright closed extraction chamber, means for feeding finelydividedoil-bearing insoluble material into' the upper end of said chamber,means controlled by the height of the column of said oil-bearingmaterial in the chamber for regulating said feeding means, means fordelivering oil solvent into the lower part of said chamber, means forwithdrawing a stream of solvent and extracted oil from the upper part ofsaid chamber, and means in the lower part of said chamber for expressingremaining solvent and oil from the oil-bearing material andprogressively discharging said insoluble material from said chamber.

